Many practical engineering problems are seriously different from the assumptions which are considered for one-dimensional consolidation test and need to concentrate on three-dimensional consolidation of soil under different boundary conditions. In this study three-dimensional consolidation tests are performed with four different anisotropic flow conditions of pore water and fifteen different combinations of horizontal layered soils. Twelve different three-dimensional consolidation tests are also performed with different soils, surrounded by anisotropic vertical soil layers on two opposite sides. From these studies, it is observed that the anisotropic flow of pore water does not have any effect on initial and final surface settlement of soil but has a significant effect during the consolidation process. The anisotropic flow of pore water during the consolidation process has an immense effect on the coefficient of consolidation. Horizontal layered soil has a great effect on both surface settlement and the rate of settlement. Vertical soil layers on two opposite sides of consolidative soil have an immense effect on the horizontal movements of consolidating soil, finally affecting the resultant vertical settlement of soil. Vertical anisotropic surrounding soil layers also have an effect on the rate of consolidation settlement.
Permeability and consolidation of soil are known as the most variable soil properties. The values of permeability and consolidation of soil may vary with depth even in case of homogeneous soil layers, and because of that, the determination of appropriate values of permeability and consolidation is a complex and complicated engineering task. In this study, horizontal and vertical permeability apparatus and a 3D (three-dimensional) consolidation apparatus are developed to determine the effects of vertical pressure on horizontal and vertical permeability and the effects of vertical surcharge pressures on three-dimensional consolidation of soil. A series of horizontal and vertical permeability tests of soil under different vertical pressures and a series of 3D consolidation tests under different surcharge pressures are performed. From the study, it is observed that the horizontal and vertical permeability of soil changes with the changes in vertical pressures, and 3D consolidation of soil also changes with the changes in surcharge pressures. The horizontal and vertical permeability values obtained from the newly developed horizontal and vertical permeability apparatus are used in Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory to find out the consolidation characteristics of the soil, and it is compared with the results obtained from the newly developed 3D consolidation apparatus.
Abstract-In the traditional method of determination of consolidation properties of soil based on oedometer test, it is assumed that the flow of water occurs in the vertical direction only. Radial flow of water is restrained in oedometer test. In this study an experimental setup is fabricated to measure consolidation properties of soil by considering different anisotropic flow of water through soil. In some of the practical cases we may not have radial flow of water throughout the radial directions and in those cases it is essential to consider anisotropic radial flow of water to predict consolidation characteristics of soil for consequent in-situ conditions. In this study an anisotropic flow of water has been considered at the time of experimental determination of consolidation characteristics of soil. From experimental results it is observed that the rate of extraction of water get increase when radial flow take under consideration and the anisotropic radial flow have an immense effect on the co-efficient of consolidation of soil.
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